Strong Thunderstorm Moving Through Northeastern Michigan at 60 MPH
Weather officials track powerful storm with 40 mph winds racing across northeastern Michigan communities at 60 mph.
ONAWAY, MICHIGAN — A fast-moving thunderstorm with wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail tracked across northeastern Michigan on Thursday morning, prompting weather officials to issue warnings for multiple communities in the region.
The National Weather Service in Gaylord issued a special weather statement at 11:27 a.m. EDT after Doppler radar detected the strong storm over Tower, near Onaway, moving eastward at 60 mph.
Storm Path and Timeline
Weather officials predicted the thunderstorm would reach several locations in quick succession as it moved across the region. The storm was expected to impact Onaway, Ocqueoc, Millersburg, Onaway State Park, and Tower around 11:30 a.m. EDT.
Huron Beach was forecast to experience the storm around 11:35 a.m., followed by Rogers City, Hawks, and P H Hoeft State Park at approximately 11:40 a.m. The system was then projected to reach Forty Mile Point and Hagensville around 11:45 a.m.
By 11:50 a.m., the storm was expected to affect Metz, with Thompsons Harbor State Park seeing impacts around 11:55 a.m. The thunderstorm was forecast to reach Presque Isle Light by noon and Presque Isle by 12:05 p.m.
Weather Hazards and Impacts
The National Weather Service warned that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects throughout the storm’s path. Officials also noted that minor hail damage to vegetation was possible due to the pea-sized hail accompanying the system.
Moltke Township was identified as another location that could experience impacts from the storm as it continued its eastward movement across the region.
Radar-Indicated Storm
The weather statement emphasized that the storm information was radar-indicated, meaning meteorologists were tracking the system’s movement and intensity through Doppler radar technology. The rapid movement of 60 mph made the storm particularly notable for its speed across northeastern Michigan.
Residents in the affected areas were advised to secure outdoor objects and take precautions against the potential for falling tree limbs during the storm’s passage.
